Inspiration - Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church

727 W. Old Rt. 422 Butler, PA 16001

*America the Beautiful* Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929) wrote, edited and taught English in her native Massachusetts. Occasionally, she wrote hymns, too.
On a trip to Colorado, Bates was greatly impressed by amber waves of grain, fruited plains and purple mountain majesties. She believed that God had definitely shed his grace all across this land. A visit to the summit of Pikes Peak inspired Bates to write her most
famous poem-hymn, *America the Beautiful.*
Bates also realized that patriotism was an important part of America. She was grateful for heroes *who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life.* She wanted all Americans to realize how God had shed his grace on them and had crowned what was good *with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.*
Bates embodied the spirit of thankfulness to God for all she had experienced and been given.
--Proverbs 22:6

"Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength!
We will sing and praise Your power." (Psalm 21:13)

*Sometimes we just need to be reminded! A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first let me do this." He proceeded to crumple up the $20 bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground, started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went up in the air. "My friends we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20."
*Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE. God always loves us and He is always willing to bring us back to His loving arms. You are special... don't ever forget it!

   Someone once set out to describe "the perfect father" for the Father's Day issue of the church newsletter.
   They concluded; "Alas, there is only one perfect Father, God, and only one perfect Son, Jesus. Most of us live a life of trial and error. We fall down. We make mistakes. We need to get back up on our feet and go on. This is how we grow.
   Instead of trying to be a "perfect father" we can only pray to God and do the best job we can. The most important thing in parenting is to love your children as God loves us and support them in all they do.
   "May God bless all the imperfect fathers of the world who try to raise their children perfectly."

Someone has said, *Vacation is what you take when you can*t take what you*ve been taking any longer.* There are good reasons to take a vacation every year: spending time with friends and loved ones, experiencing physical and mental refreshment, enjoying changes in scenery and routine, and preparing for another year of productivity. Please enjoy your vacation! Try to be faithful to the Lord by attending church while you*re away, if you have the opportunity. Just remember that during vacations and weekend getaways, you*re especially missed by your friends at church. The work of the church suffers because no one can fill your place of responsibility quite like you. God*s work goes on all summer long. Your presence and gifts are needed to enable the church to be strong and vigorous throughout the entire year. Have a wonderful summer!